BENNINGTON SELECT BOARD MEETING BENNINGTON FIRE FACILITY 130 RIVER STREET BENNINGTON, VERMONT 05201 MONDAY, JULY 13, 2009 MINUTES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Lodie Colvin-Chair; Sharyn Brush-Vice Chair; Jason Morrissey; Chris Oldham; Joseph Krawczyk; John Zink and Matt Maroney. ALSO PRESENT: Stuart Hurd-Town Manager; Mike Bethel; Phil Pugliese; Kristin Higgins-Vermont Agency of Transportation Hunt Street Bridge Project Manager; Rick Hebert-Vermont Agency of Transportation Engineer; Donna Baker-Green Mountain Community Network Executive Director; John Trevor-Architect and Nancy Lively-Recording Secretary. At 7:00 P.M., Lodie Colvin called the meeting to order. 1.MINUTES - JUNE 22, 2009 Sharyn Brush moved and Chris Oldham seconded to approve the Minutes of June 22, 2009 amended as follows: Line 36 - Change "loan" to "government banking". The motion carried with John Zink and Joseph Krawczyk abstaining. 2. WARRANTS The warrants were circulated for signatures after Mr. Hurd answered questions on the Fire Department radios, mulch, the Transfer Station gatekeeper, Middle School cameras and the Challenger release payment. 3. CITIZENS Mike Bethel would like the Select Board to hold a community forum to discuss the future of Bennington which could also include several neighboring town boards, Mr. Zink and Mr. Oldham feel that, given the state of the economy and our five-year plan, this is a good proactive idea and should include other town "players" such as the Chamber of Commerce, BBC and BCRC. Ms. Colvin stated that the Select Board is a Board that creates policy and doesn't want to re-create what the Chamber and other organizations are already doing, and questions how much was accomplished through the business round table discussions that were held in the past. Mr. Krawczyk feels that it is a good idea to hear from our residents and would best serve the community to hold it in the fall prior to the beginning of budget discussions. Mr. Morrissey noted that every regular Select Board meeting is a forum that avails every resident the opportunity to voice their opinions and feels that too many meetings are unproductive. The Board will consider Mr. Bethel's request. Mr. Pugliese distributed photos to the Board and claims that his neighbor is maintaining and clearing Mr. Pugliese's land. Mr. Hurd stated it appears that the area being cleaned up of debris is within the Town's 50' right of way but the property pins will need to be checked to be sure. Mr. Pugliese still feels that the Town "stole his property" and is upgrading his neighbor's property. "He just wants to be left alone." Mr. Hurd will appoint someone other than himself - perhaps the Board Chair or Vice-Chair - to inspect the placement of the property pins to establish if the cleanup was done on Mr. Pugliese's land or within the Town's right of way. 4. HUNT STREET BRIDGE PROJECT PRESENTATION Ms. Higgins and Mr. Hebert did a presentation on the Hunt Street Bridge Project with the following highlights: * The Hunt Street Bridge project has been on the Agency of Transportation's books for 18 years. * There is heavy spalling under the bridge deck and deterioration of the railing. This is not "catastrophic" but will require repeated maintenance. * The deck is rated as poor and the scour rating (an erosion factor) is critical. * On the 11/24/08 inspection, the rest of the structure was rated in poor to fair condition and needs rehabilitation. It is still on a 2-year inspection cycle. * The bridge is in the Town Highway Bridge Program where 90% is paid by the State and 10% is paid by the Town. * Originally, back in the 1990's, the bridge qualified for the 95%/5% split. However, the adding of the third lane which was indicated to be necessary by the traffic study, has put it in the 90%/10% funding category. * Amenities - such as lights or anything else that isn't there now - would be paid for completely by the Town. * The Hunt Street Bridge is #17 out of 47 on the priority list and is scheduled for construction to begin in 2014. No stimulus funding has been considered for this project. * Traffic Alternatives During Construction = 1. Staged construction (build bridge one half at a time while maintaining traffic on bridge). This alternative maintains traffic throughout project, has right-of-way impacts, lengthens construction time to 3 seasons, and therefore, is too expensive. * Traffic Alternatives During Construction = 2. Maintain traffic on temporary bridge. This alternative requires significant permitting, construction of an in stream temporary pier, requires multiple rights-of-way, has existing sewer line issues, extends construction season to 3 seasons, and adds $2.2M to project cost. * Traffic Alternatives During Construction = 3. Close access and sign 1.5 mile detour. This alternative has the least environmental impacts, least right of way impacts, shortest construction time (April-December 2014), lowest construction cost ($4.94M), requires signal at Kocher Drive to handle increased traffic at a cost of $30,000 and will reduce drive by traffic to local businesses in proximity to bridge. * Weather should not be inhibiting construction progress and there are financial incentives for contractors to finish on time or earlier. * The $4.94M cost for 2014 includes inflation. The Town's share will be $494,000 and we have already expended some of this for the project. Engineering is not part of this number. * The fundamentals of the new bridge were discussed. * The new bridge will only have two spans instead of the existing three. * Single pier decreases time and expense, latex surface can be worked with later in the season that asphalt and a precast deck instead of poured concrete saves 27 days. * Bearing abutments eliminate leaking joints and retards deterioration. Board comments were as follows: * It would be beneficial to the Town to coordinate the river management work being done through the Agency of Natural Resources with the construction of the bridge. * An additional light may be needed at the Ben Mont Avenue/County Street intersection to accommodate the detour traffic. * The traffic lights at the end of the bridge are a different project but should coincide as close as possible to the bridge construction. The Board invites public comment and will make a decision to accept or reject the project as presented at the July 27, 2009 meeting. 5. GREEN MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY NETWORK TRANSIT CENTER EARMARK Ms Brush recused herself from this agenda item. Mr. Hurd stated that the Town was awarded an earmark of $328,300 approximately two years ago to be used for the planning and construction of a multi mobile transit center. Green Mountain Community Network recently purchased the property on 215 Pleasant Street from the American Red Cross. It is adjacent to the public parking lot and they have come up with a plan that "makes sense". In addition, they will pay 20% of the cost of the project with the additional funds coming from the State. There are no Town funds - other than staff time - being spent. This also presents an opportunity for the Town to obtain other available funds to fix up the adjacent parking lot. The earmark must be used by March 2010 and the application process is extensive. The money will flow through the Town and be paid out to GMCN as construction progresses, as well as, potentially to the BCRC for a clerk of the works. Mr. Trevor explained that the project is planned to be done in three stages over a twelve-month period: Stage 1 - Creation of an accessible, multi-modal transit facility that will house a waiting area, information kiosk, sanitary facilities, ticketing, vending, dispatch, reception and driver lounge. In addition, paving and expanding of the parking lot, improved access to the municipal lot and other property enhancements, including removal of the two garages currently on the property. Stage 2 - Building of a small maintenance facility/wash bay for routine vehicle maintenance, as well as, structural, cosmetic and energy enhancements to the main building. Stage 3 - Three sided covered parking area along the north property line with lot security enhancements, as well as, renovations to the upstairs of the main building. Ms. Baker explained that there is a bus/taxi waiting area but the GMCN is not in competition with them. The existing green space will remain on the south side of the property and the facility will be staffed during all hours of operation. The Flex Route presently accommodates North Bennington and Southern Vermont College during the week, and if warranted, will be considered for the weekends. Present transportation services of 60,000+ rides per year include, but are not limited to, Public Transportation Routes, Medicaid, Reach-up, Elderly and Disabled, Shopper's Express and special request services. This will be an agenda item for the next meeting to allow time for public comment. 6. WESTERN CORRIDOR RAIL POSITION Ms. Colvin explained that Joann Erenhouse from the Chamber of Commerce has requested Board support of the Western Corridor Rail Service connecting Bennington/Manchester to Albany/NYC with passenger service, and get the seed money to access the WC funds which will be freed via Stimulus money paying for previously earmarked projects up north. Mr. Morrissey is in favor of rail service but has concerns about the ultimate support service that goes along with it, such as, safety issues, infrastructure issues in North Bennington, etc. Mr. Maroney concurred. Ms. Colvin added that the support service has never been discussed because we have never gotten to that point. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to authorize the Town Manager to draft a Rail Position Letter in support of the Western Corridor rail service upgrade which includes connectivity of passenger and freight projects for Bennington County to Albany, and ultimately, to New York City to be signed by all members of the Board. The motion carried unanimously. 7. SET PROPERTY TAX RATES Mr. Hurd stated that all of the budgetary impacts were successful in reducing the property tax for the coming year with the only increase to be from the Bennington Local Agreement-School which is the granting of tax exempt status beyond the minimum that the State provides. This is driven by the rise in the School Tax due to the Homestead increase passed by the State - even though the schools submitted level funded budgets. Mr. Morrissey added that even though the tax rate goes down doesn't necessarily mean that residents tax bills will go down. Sharyn Brush moved and John Zink seconded to set the 2009 Property Tax Rates as follows: General Fund = $.4720 Highway Fund = $.3093 Inside Fire Department Tax = $.0864 The motion carried unanimously. 8. MANAGER'S REPORT Mr. Hurd requested the acceptance of a Resolution to accept the lease/purchase financing for the sidewalk plow machine and wheel loader that were approved for purchase during the budgeting process for an annual savings of $3,000 from what was budgeted. Attorney Rob Woolmington has approved all of the documents. The Board would like clarification on the rate and terms of the agreement before signing. Sharyn Brush moved and Matt Maroney seconded to adopt and confirm the FY2010 Water and Sewer Rates as presented. The motion carried unanimously. 9. OTHER BUSINESS Mr. Oldham noted that Cross Street needs a dead end sign, and Mr. Hurd will see that that is done. Ms. Colvin asked if the no smoking signs were up at the parks yet, and Mr. Hurd answered that they were not. Ms. Colvin asked that the State be reminded that the speed limit is still 50mph on Route 7 by the railroad trestle and needs to be changed to 40mph. Mr. Hurd will see that this is done and will also see that the speed cart is placed on Harwood Hill. Ms. Colvin announced that there is an opening on the Bennington Housing Authority Board and all letters of interest are due to the Town Manager by July 22, 2009. 10. EXECUTIVE SESSION A.LEGAL Chris Oldham moved and Sharyn Brush seconded to go into Executive Session to discuss a Legal issue. The motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, Nancy H. Lively Secretary